ARROWE Park Hospital's catastrophic parking problems have spilled over into nearby residential roads.

Irate families claim that staff and hospital visitors are ignoring warning notices and clogging up the neighbourhood for hours on end.

Pool Lane, Fleetcroft Road and other small roads are feeling the brunt of irresponsible parking.

Large notices advise motorists that hospital visitors should use the park ride facility from a nearby supermarket.

Liz Hughes, who lives on Fleetcroft Road, has found even backing out of her drive a nightmare as cars are parked bumper-to-bumper along the narrow street

She said: "Cars are parked outside my house from 8.30am 5.30pm and it is mostly people who work at the hospital.

"You see the same cars parked there day in day out and if they don't get their usual spot they drive around 'til they find a space. And if you ask them to move - even to park further away from the edge of your drive - all you get is abuse.

"I was taking my daughter to school in the car along Pool Lane at 8.30am the other week when a driver cut across in front of me.

"I had to slam on the brakes, while she didn't even stop until she found a parking space in Pool Lane.

"She was wearing an Arrowe Park Hospital uniform and looked in a rush to find a space.

"The parking situation has got worse here over the last couple of months and I can't see it getting better unless people use the park and ride service from Sainsbury's."

She added: "We would like to have residential parking permits."

Harry Smith, Wirral council's environment and transportation select committee chairman, commented: "We are aware of the problems the neighbours are having.

"We are asking staff and visitors to co-operate but it appears we will now have to consider taking other steps.

"We have been relying on a voluntary code but it seems selfish people are abusing it which also makes it difficult for emergency vehicles."